Custodians of the South African Creative Ability Theory and Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability (VdTMoCA)

In 1974 the World Federation of Occupational Therapy Congress created Vona an Honorary Fellow. The citation reads in part: “We believe that Vona has had an inestimable influence on the development of the profession in South Africa and her imagination and her pre-sight have had far reaching effects beyond the confines of her country. We recognize her indestructible belief in the worth of her profession and her unflagging efforts to stimulate its growth in breadth and depth”

HJV du Toit, nee van Straaten, known fondly as Vona, received her diploma in occupational therapy from the University of Witwatersrand in 1946, one of the first to qualify in South Africa. ^.In 1952 after various pioneering positions in Pretoria, Vona went to work and study in England while her husband, Dr.Stephen du Toit, specialized in Pediatrics. Later they returned to South Africa, their family grew to include three daughters; Marie, Suzanne and Annette whose childhood development doubtless inspired much in Vona’s theories. Settling in Pretoria Vona started a private practice and engaged in pursuits and interactions which nurtured her approach to occupational therapy, an approach which would prove so meaningful to the profession. Returning to studies in 1962, Vona undertook the Teaching Diploma in Occupational Therapy (Dip. Ed. Ther. Voc.), which she passed Cum Laude at Pretoria University.

In 1963 she became principal of the Pretoria College of Occupational Therapy and head of clinical services, positions she held until her passing in 1974. At this time, the college was renamed the Vona du Toit College of Occupational Therapy in honour of her transformative influence, She was revered as a pioneer occupational therapist during the 1950’s – 70’s and was recognised as an inspirational thinker, teacher and an undisputed leader in the profession, held in the highest esteem by her colleagues and honoured both nationally and internationally. She is particularly acclaimed for her pioneering of the theory of Creative Ability which is the basis of the Practice Model of Creative Ability, now known as the VdTMoCA. The atmosphere of enthusiasm and fun engendered by Vona during the early days of exploring the theory and practice of Creative Ability was memorable and a factor in the remarkable endurance of the concepts over time.